Music

The New Organ

May 2015, Lecture on the Design of the Miller-Scott Chancel Organ

There have been many exciting developments in the Miller-Scott Chancel Organ Project. We invite you to hear about the design of the new south case and see pictures of the wood carvings of Dennis Collier, Sr. and Dennis Collier, Jr. The Rector will lead an update on the Miller-Scott Organ along with John Scott, Kenneth Koen, Karl Saunders, and project consultant Jonathan Ambrosino on Sunday, May 31, at 12:45pm in Andrew Hall. This session will last about 30 minutes and will be followed by a question and answer session. It is not necessary to RSVP

November 2014, Notice in The American Organist Magazine

This brief article features an overview of current Skinner IV/67 Opus 205 chancel organ and on outline of the preperatory work on the new Dobson Op 93, the installation of which will commence after Easter of 2017. The article may be read here. It begins on the right column of the page with the words: "Dobson Pipe Organ Builders Ltd".

Copyright 2014, by the American Guild of Organists.
Posted with permission of The American Organist magazine.

July 2014: Details and Specs Published by Dobson Pipe Organ Builders

The new 100-stop instrument, to be named “The Irene D. and William R. Miller Chancel Organ in Honor of Dr. John Scott,” has been designed to support choir, congregation and repertoire in fair balance. Across the chancel from Goodhue’s famous 1913 case will be introduced a second case of complementary design, enriched with significant carvings from Dennis Collier Sr. and Jr. and housing the Great and Positive divisions. The remaining departments will be sited within the present case and chambers. The elaborately carved 1913 console cabinet will remain in its present location, its exterior conserved, and its interior fitted with new components. Select registers from the existing organ will be retained, re-fashioned to suit the new scheme.

February 2014: Presentation to the Parish on the New Organ

On February 2 and February 12, 2014, John Scott, Karl Saunders, Kenneth Koen and project consultant Jonathan Ambrosino presented the parish with an overview of many exciting developments in the Chancel Organ Project. The gentlemen informed that parish that the Vestry has felt confident to move the project forward in three critical directions:

The first is signing a design contract with Dobson, to cover all the case design drawings and engineering of the organ. The images you’ve seen thus far in brochures and in the narthex were concept drawings, which enabled us to see how the organ would fit into the chancel, what it would look like in basic terms, and how many pipes would comfortably fit inside. But the actual construction drawings require hundreds of additional hours. Getting this work done now, which started last summer and is still ongoing, means that when we finally sign the contract for the organ itself, all of the engineering and design work will be finished, and construction can commence immediately. This will save many months of work at a critical juncture.

A second contract with Dobson is a schedule retainer, which guarantees Saint Thomas a spot in the Dobson production schedule. With a revival in the economy, business has picked up for Dobson, and they are now committed to three other projects before ours. We were concerned that when it came time to sign the actual construction contract, they might have signed more work, and we would have to wait even longer to get our organ. Given our confidence with recent fundraising success, and our optimism that there will be yet greater success on the fundraising front, the Vestry felt it was prudent to engage in the schedule retainer.

The third contract signed is with master woodcarvers Dennis Collier Sr and Jr. From the beginning, Lynn Dobson told us that a new organ case, placed alongside the artistic mastery of everything at Saint Thomas, would require carving of the finest available talent. We have been researching carvers for several years now, and when we met the Colliers and saw their work, we knew we’d found the right team. Since Lynn’s design work needed to unfold hand-in-hand with the people who would be doing the actual carving, having the Colliers on board early became a critical piece of completing the organ’s design and figuring a carving budget. Their initial contract covers design, tooling and the fabrication of several initial pieces that have also acted as studies.

Mr. Ambrosino then shared some images regarding the design process. The slides (accessible via the button below) show refinement in the case design and how elements derive from the building itself.

When the Colliers first came to Saint Thomas, they spent hours in silence, simply looking and touching the chancel woodwork, overcome with admiration for both the design and the craftsmanship. Lynn Dobson has spent now weeks studying, photographing and absorbing the art of Cram and Goodhue and their designers. These men understand that to build this new organ case is a once-in-a-lifetime artistic opportunity, in an atmosphere unmatched in the United States. Their awe and reverence is inspiring.

Additional Funds Needed

You may have heard about the possibility that some of our air rights will be sold for a development down 53rd Street. We are optimistic this development will move forward. However, by law, any funds from the sale of the air rights must be added to the endowment to maintain the building. Thus, the air rights proceeds cannot be used to fund the organ. So it remains critical that we get your help and that of others to make this project a reality.

To this end, we encourage everyone who is willing and able to donate to the Capital Campain. We are so grateful to everyone who participated in the Buy-a-Pipe Campaign during March-June 2014, which raised over $700,000. Even thought the Buy-a-Pipe Campagin has now ended, additional funds are needed to ensure the completion of the organ project. Please read more about the Capital Campaign and then consider donating online.

A depiction of the proposed new organ case on the south side of the chancel, as seen from the nave.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How large will the organ be? It will contain 7,048 pipes, as opposed to the current organ’s 8,400.

2. Will any of the existing pipes be reused?Absolutely. Fourteen sets of pipes, including the largest existing wooden ones, are set to be rebuilt and reinstated; these include the very softest sounds, and some specialty trumpet stops.

3. What precise form will the case decoration take?Much of the form is derived from the precedent found throughout the rest of the building. Just as the choir stalls depict, among other things, the history of transportation, the organ case may partake of similar programs. The design is evolving all the time.

4. What is the schedule for the organ?The existing organ will be removed in June 2016, the new organ will commence installation after Easter 2017, and is expected to be finished in all respects by Easter 2018.

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Please know that at noon on each weekday (Monday – Friday), a priest or lay minister says these prayers, and others, near the statue of Our Lady of Fifth Avenue, which is located at the back of the Chantry Chapel.